Frustration within the passionate and loyal fan base of the Edmonton Oilers is growing by the day and by the loss with the Oilers destined to miss the playoffs for an eighth straight season. Rightfully so.

Much of that frustration -- again, rightfully so -- is being directed at Kevin Lowe, the team's former GM who is now owner Daryl Katz's president of hockey operations. There was a sign of that, literally, at Rexall Place during Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. A fan sitting front row displayed a cardboard sign that read: "Fire Kevin Lowe."

The frustration directed toward Lowe is, in large part, because of the perception that, while he's been bumped out of the hot seat and into the background publicly in his position by Katz, he's still had his fingerprints all over player personnel decisions – trades and free agent signings -- made by former GM Steve Tambellini and now Craig MacTavish.

Actually, perception is the wrong word. Lowe confirmed his participation in the decision-making process Tuesday during a wide-ranging interview on the Jason Gregor Show on TSN 1260. While Lowe didn't get specific about how much influence he has, it's obvious he's hands-on – we're not talking about the façade of the "senior advisor" position Pat Quinn was dumped in.

Lowe has been, as has been noted before, the one constant in Edmonton's front office through these eight years of ineptitude and losing dating back to the 2006 Stanley Cup final, and beyond.

WHAT HE SAID

Gregor asked Lowe what role he played as POHO in the decision-making process with Tambellini and now MacTavish.

"I would say that uh, that uh . . . really, it's a tough, tough question," Lowe said. "Craig is the general manager, as was Steve Tambellini. They go about their business and shop around the NHL with the scouting staff and collectively throughout the organization try to come up with ways to make the hockey club better, whether it's signing a player or trading a player or what have you.

"At the end of the way, when those recommendations or when those ideas come up, Craig will talk to me and get my feelings on it and you know . . . we talk enough over the course of the season that I generally know where he's going on things and, you know, there's an owner that has to make a call in terms of whether you're going to spend the money for a free agent or trade an asset that's been part of the organization for a while, so there's a collective decision being made.

"I mean, if there's any concern that our people can't make decisions without me endorsing them, then that's not accurate. We've always had a, taken the approach from the day that I took over as general manager that we're collectively going to make decisions – not that it's a purely democratic process, but it's wise of you to involve as many people in your organization when you are making decisions.

"It's not a fiefdom where one person says, 'No, this is what we're going to do.' It's a collective group decision on any strategy that the hockey team is going to make. It's not easy. We've been in this rebuild and it's incredibly frustrating for everyone. The fans should know that, for the people that are running the show they are probably, I don't even know if you can compare it, but in terms of frustration, it's incredibly frustrating, but we're in it. We are where we are.

"The only thing we can do is continue to work hard and believe that, in time, if we've done the drafting we hope we've done and we are patient with the young players that they're going to become the players we expect them to be and it'll result in a, you know, positive and exciting hockey team."

STARTS AT THE TOP

Lowe was at the top of Edmonton's management food chain as GM for eight seasons – he had nobody to answer to in hockey operations decisions, except ownership, until he was moved to POHO in July 2008. Essentially, anybody Lowe huddled with when making decisions as the GM was an underling – an assistant GM, members of his scouting staff or coaches. It stands to reason Lowe's opinion carried more weight than anybody else's did.

Was that the case during Tambellini's troubled and indecisive tenure in Lowe's former position? I don't know for sure, but I doubt it. Is that the case now with MacTavish? No way. Still, you'd have to be a fool to think Lowe doesn't carry considerable swing in every hockey decision made now.

Simply put, Lowe had more say than anybody else in the organization in building the Oilers from 2000 to 2008 as GM. At the very least, he has had considerable influence in hockey decisions made since then. That's a span of command and influence approaching 14 seasons.

Draw your own conclusions.

Listen to Robin Brownlee Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260.

A sports writer since 1983, including stints at The Edmonton Journal and The Sun 1989-2007, I happily co-host the Jason Gregor Show on TSN 1260 twice a week and write when so inclined. Have the best damn lawn on the internet. Most important, I am Sam's dad. Follow me on Twitter at Robin_Brownlee. Or don't.

Katz is reportedly worth $4 Billion. Oilers are worth reportedly $400 million. A nice toy for Harrison to enjoy, and provides a job for some of the Boys on the Bus. If Katz looked at the Oilers as something other than a vehicle to fleece Edmonton then changes would be made.

It's been said here before....hockey is a business...as long as the business is making money hand over fist the POHO is probably secure in his position....in business it's called "the bottom line"

Yes, but its also been said that hockey is a results based business. The results aren't there. The fans are in revolt. It kind of looks like the writing is on the wall for Lowe. The Oilers organization has themselves said that in this business sometimes you just come to a crossroads and its time to move on. Obviously its time to move on for Kevin Lowe.

Yes, but its also been said that hockey is a results based business. The results aren't there. The fans are in revolt. It kind of looks like the writing is on the wall for Lowe. The Oilers organization has themselves said that in this business sometimes you just come to a crossroads and its time to move on. Obviously its time to move on for Kevin Lowe.

You missed Die Nasty's point. He is saying that it doesn't matter what the fans have to say about how D.Katz's company is being ran. If the fans were revolt, Rexall would be 3/4 empty. Throwing a jersey on the ice is not revolt it is a gesture of disgust. If someone gives up their season tickets because they are fed-up with the hockey based results, then why is there 10 people in line to buy them. That my friend is the exact results that Mr.Katz cares about. Hockey based results are for fans, stats people and the media.

The Oilers front office have been a nightmare for years. It sounds like they try and make deals from a position of power and just end up not making any useful trades. They need a reality check. The franchise is a joke and not relevant...the only press they good is for how bad they are, how poorly they handled their talent and years of high draft picks. Time for the GM to get a clue and make some moves that he may not be the clear cut winner on.

You missed Die Nasty's point. He is saying that it doesn't matter what the fans have to say about how D.Katz's company is being ran. If the fans were revolt, Rexall would be 3/4 empty. Throwing a jersey on the ice is not revolt it is a gesture of disgust. If someone gives up their season tickets because they are fed-up with the hockey based results, then why is there 10 people in line to buy them. That my friend is the exact results that Mr.Katz cares about. Hockey based results are for fans, stats people and the media.

No I understand DieNastie's point. He's good stuff. I understand that $ is the bottom line. I just think the growing resentment etc. is reaching a breaking point and that Mr. Lowe's time is limited. Thats all, just another point of view.

I am not an expert on the Swarm, but if what you are saying is correct, it's just as much on Mact as it is on Eakins.

It is on MacT as well, but if you want to watch a clinic on how to beat the SWARM there is the Detroit game (5-0 loss). Watch how they would move the puck quickly and in two or three passes have a wide open lane for a forward or d-man to take a pass in the high to low slot. There were a number of other games that it was brutally evident as well.

The simple fact is that Kruger got more out of a weaker roster last year than Eakins is with a stronger team this year. That comes down to coaching.

This type of article makes me wonder about Jim Nill. Apprenticed for a long time with a successful org. Then when he decided to go out on his own, he had the knowledge and experience to act bold, not just talk about it.

If I was a hot prospect GM, why would I come to Edmonton when I know KLowe is going to stand over my shoulder monitoring everything? I could care less about the GM getting along with the Edmonton media. Get one that produces. Clean out all the cobwebs from the KLowe days. Ditch MacT. Keep Eakins. And bring in someone who doesn't carry the stink of KLowe.

Just read an interesting article about the Oilers issues from the dressing room. Apparently Hall, Ebs and the kids effing hate Eakins. Apparently they liked Krueger but hate Eakins and that Mac-T, Lowe and company are behind it all trying to keep the kids in line. Apparently Katz is on the kids side but for some reason the whole mess is going sideways under Lowe, Mac-T and Eakins. Apparently handing the reins over to the kids under a good players coach like Krueger benefits the play of the team. Go figure. If that is the case then it just adds validity to the argument that Lowe, Mac-T and Eakins should be let go, with good experienced management put in place, with a good players coach. Makes sense to me. No where in the league is there an old boys club like Edm. Its a joke. Lowe. Mac-T. Bucky. Smith. Eakins. Should all be fired. Period.

No I understand DieNastie's point. He's good stuff. I understand that $ is the bottom line. I just think the growing resentment etc. is reaching a breaking point and that Mr. Lowe's time is limited. Thats all, just another point of view.

Fair enough, however I don't think that K-lowes time is coming to an end just because the majority of the fan base is convinced otherwise. If he does go I believe that he'll resign before he is fired. He will be allowed to go out on his own terms.

This is one of the resons I am beyond frustrated with the Edmonton media and Oilers. Yes, the statement is true, but you don't see the other 28 teams that have lost or will lose to the Blues write this on their papers as a feaking excuse for losing. Terry Jones, I know you are worried in losing access previlages to the team, but think of why you got into writing in the first place. i am sure integrity was floating around at one point of your career. It's because of writers like you that fans are still in denial and KLowe has a job still. Just STOP!!

It is on MacT as well, but if you want to watch a clinic on how to beat the SWARM there is the Detroit game (5-0 loss). Watch how they would move the puck quickly and in two or three passes have a wide open lane for a forward or d-man to take a pass in the high to low slot. There were a number of other games that it was brutally evident as well.

The simple fact is that Kruger got more out of a weaker roster last year than Eakins is with a stronger team this year. That comes down to coaching.

Was at that game and understand exactly what are you speaking of. The high slot was open for the talking each and every game for the first quarter of the season.

What I don't understand is how Mact could have bought into the swarm when he hired Eakins? And no doubt about it the Swarm would have been discussed. If the system is so bad and no other NHL team in the NHL would play it how could Mact have hired a coach for selling it? Was this the Bold move Mact was speaking of? Why doesn't anybody in the media bring this up?

Was at that game and understand exactly what are you speaking of. The high slot was open for the talking each and every game for the first quarter of the season.

What I don't understand is how Mact could have bought into the swarm when he hired Eakins? And no doubt about it the Swarm would have been discussed. If the system is so bad and no other NHL team in the NHL would play it how could Mact have hired a coach for selling it? Was this the Bold move Mact was speaking of? Why doesn't anybody in the media bring this up?

If you remember, after a month or so of the "swarm" Eakins finally canned it saying that the team had no idea how to play "basic defensive hockey", so properly executing the swarm was an impossibilty.

Just read an interesting article about the Oilers issues from the dressing room. Apparently Hall, Ebs and the kids effing hate Eakins. Apparently they liked Krueger but hate Eakins and that Mac-T, Lowe and company are behind it all trying to keep the kids in line. Apparently Katz is on the kids side but for some reason the whole mess is going sideways under Lowe, Mac-T and Eakins. Apparently handing the reins over to the kids under a good players coach like Krueger benefits the play of the team. Go figure. If that is the case then it just adds validity to the argument that Lowe, Mac-T and Eakins should be let go, with good experienced management put in place, with a good players coach. Makes sense to me. No where in the league is there an old boys club like Edm. Its a joke. Lowe. Mac-T. Bucky. Smith. Eakins. Should all be fired. Period.

A lot of signs point to Eakins on the verge of losing the room.

Next 30 days will probably tell a lot.

Whether for some of the right reasons or some of the wrong reasons, when the coach loses the room - he's done.

Just read an interesting article about the Oilers issues from the dressing room. Apparently Hall, Ebs and the kids effing hate Eakins. Apparently they liked Krueger but hate Eakins and that Mac-T, Lowe and company are behind it all trying to keep the kids in line. Apparently Katz is on the kids side but for some reason the whole mess is going sideways under Lowe, Mac-T and Eakins. Apparently handing the reins over to the kids under a good players coach like Krueger benefits the play of the team. Go figure. If that is the case then it just adds validity to the argument that Lowe, Mac-T and Eakins should be let go, with good experienced management put in place, with a good players coach. Makes sense to me. No where in the league is there an old boys club like Edm. Its a joke. Lowe. Mac-T. Bucky. Smith. Eakins. Should all be fired. Period.

If you remember, after a month or so of the "swarm" Eakins finally canned it saying that the team had no idea how to play "basic defensive hockey", so properly executing the swarm was an impossibilty.

There's so much wrong with all this that I don't know what to say.

Thing is I believed Eakins when he blamed the players for the system failing. Don't remember him acknowledging that the system was the problem...I also now understand why the players needed to be more fit to play his system, I guess if you are going to skate in continous circles for the entire shift when the pucks in your zone you are going to be bagged.

ok, so I just read the article and not going through 270+ comments, and this may have been talked about already but here it goes:
TIME FOR A BOLD TRADE MACT. BOLD! Our 2 weakest areas are Goal and Defense, and we have an abundance of goal scoring (should be) elite players. In order to get the ball moving on the weak areas, lets move one of our untouchables now. Who can it be? Hall, RNH, Ebs, Yak, JSchultz, Gags, Hemmer, KBom, Nurse?
Gags NTC kicks in this year and he is not a fit so he can be packaged. Hemmer is UFA and probably wont sign here again so lets get him out too. If we are looking at a Dman in the likes of Letang, Karlsson, Keith, Subban

ok, so I just read the article and not going through 270+ comments, and this may have been talked about already but here it goes:
TIME FOR A BOLD TRADE MACT. BOLD! Our 2 weakest areas are Goal and Defense, and we have an abundance of goal scoring (should be) elite players. In order to get the ball moving on the weak areas, lets move one of our untouchables now. Who can it be? Hall, RNH, Ebs, Yak, JSchultz, Gags, Hemmer, KBom, Nurse?
Gags NTC kicks in this year and he is not a fit so he can be packaged. Hemmer is UFA and probably wont sign here again so lets get him out too. If we are looking at a Dman in the likes of Letang, Karlsson, Keith, Subban

forget last post. posted in error. All I wanted to say was EBS, GAGS, Hemmer, JSchultz and 1st rounder all need to go to get us a starting true #1 Goalie and an elite puck moving Dman that can play D.

ok, so I just read the article and not going through 270+ comments, and this may have been talked about already but here it goes:
TIME FOR A BOLD TRADE MACT. BOLD! Our 2 weakest areas are Goal and Defense, and we have an abundance of goal scoring (should be) elite players. In order to get the ball moving on the weak areas, lets move one of our untouchables now. Who can it be? Hall, RNH, Ebs, Yak, JSchultz, Gags, Hemmer, KBom, Nurse?
Gags NTC kicks in this year and he is not a fit so he can be packaged. Hemmer is UFA and probably wont sign here again so lets get him out too. If we are looking at a Dman in the likes of Letang, Karlsson, Keith, Subban

Read through comments man your so off topic right now.

When Eakins said they don't know basic defensive hockey he's throwing all previous coach's under the boys on the bus.

Just read an interesting article about the Oilers issues from the dressing room. Apparently Hall, Ebs and the kids effing hate Eakins. Apparently they liked Krueger but hate Eakins and that Mac-T, Lowe and company are behind it all trying to keep the kids in line. Apparently Katz is on the kids side but for some reason the whole mess is going sideways under Lowe, Mac-T and Eakins. Apparently handing the reins over to the kids under a good players coach like Krueger benefits the play of the team. Go figure. If that is the case then it just adds validity to the argument that Lowe, Mac-T and Eakins should be let go, with good experienced management put in place, with a good players coach. Makes sense to me. No where in the league is there an old boys club like Edm. Its a joke. Lowe. Mac-T. Bucky. Smith. Eakins. Should all be fired. Period.

Sounds like a hoax to me . Did you write the article yourself or just trolling ?

Did anyone actually think this team was improving last year? Would have been interesting to see where they would have ended up after a full 82 games.

Krueger was more amiable, and set less restrictions on his players for sure, but his team couldn't hold a candle to the rest 5x5.

OH NO, the players don't like Eakins (by the way there is no evidence to back up this claim), maybe its because they already got their 6 million and they've never had a coach tell them they weren't working hard enough before.

The way I see it Krueger's 'eventual' Oilers would make it into the playoffs by way of their special teams, and get knocked off by the first big team they faced (a la Toronto or Washington style).

Eakins' would be Oilers will compete 5x5 with the big dogs, and will be a team that has a chance to win against anyone on any given night.

Maybe I have too much faith in Eakins, but for a team whose management has basically hung them out to dry, there are many positive signs early in this BRAND NEW NHL coach's career

The fact that the SWARM does not work in the NHL is an indictment of the coach, not the players, as it is a flawed strategy that only works against less skilled players in the minors or juniors. It was a farce watching how many wide-open chances other teams had because the Oilers would overcommit under the SWARM. All of the ex-coach and player talking heads in the media that I heard commenting on it said the same thing - the SWARM can work in juniors, and maybe the AHL, but in the NHL it means that someone is always open and the players are good enough to find them. All it takes to beat the SWARM is two quick passes and you will find the open man in the high slot.

Eakins came into the big leagues with an AHL system and approach that would not work and the team was burned by it. That shows his inexperience. The question now is whether he is able to adapt and grow. So far, he has not shown that ability.

I never said or meant that the Swarm would work. That is debateable as it is a newer system. People also thought Lemaire was crazy for his defensive system until they started winning cups. I meant that the Oilers failed at executing it. They did not execute it the way it was taught to them. That is why he ended up scrapping it.

Why "NHL" players on the Oilers could not execute this system when AHL players could is what you should be asking. There are probably many reasons for that. The players themselves. 5 coaches in 6 years could be part of it. At least 5 systems in 6 years as well. None of which is Eakins fault. Changing coaches yet again will just further compound those issues.

If the system itself fails that is one thing, but the players failed at even executing the system properly. So we'll never know if the system itself was also a failure at the NHL level. Unless Eakins or another coach try it again.

Katz is reportedly worth $4 Billion. Oilers are worth reportedly $400 million. A nice toy for Harrison to enjoy, and provides a job for some of the Boys on the Bus. If Katz looked at the Oilers as something other than a vehicle to fleece Edmonton then changes would be made.

Did anyone actually think this team was improving last year? Would have been interesting to see where they would have ended up after a full 82 games.

Krueger was more amiable, and set less restrictions on his players for sure, but his team couldn't hold a candle to the rest 5x5.

OH NO, the players don't like Eakins (by the way there is no evidence to back up this claim), maybe its because they already got their 6 million and they've never had a coach tell them they weren't working hard enough before.

The way I see it Krueger's 'eventual' Oilers would make it into the playoffs by way of their special teams, and get knocked off by the first big team they faced (a la Toronto or Washington style).

Eakins' would be Oilers will compete 5x5 with the big dogs, and will be a team that has a chance to win against anyone on any given night.

Maybe I have too much faith in Eakins, but for a team whose management has basically hung them out to dry, there are many positive signs early in this BRAND NEW NHL coach's career

They did improve last year their special teams but that was it.
The moves by Mac T ,(Eakins, Gordon and Ference)were made to try to change the "Losing Culture" on this team as much as anything.
It was a major mistake handing the keys to the city and the huge contracts over to the kids prematurely.
Bob Stauffer last year alluded the kids were influential in the hiring of Kruger as well and that is complete insanity.
The core of young guns is going to have to to be altered if this ship is ever going to be righted.
Eakins message and coaching worked with AHL players, he is having a really tough time making it work with players that already have millions.

When Eakins said they don't know basic defensive hockey he's throwing all previous coach's under the boys on the bus.

asshat, I am not reading 270 comments just to appease your need for consistency in the topic at hand. I am sure the topic the collective group of armchair GMs and owners have discussed changed more times than the coaching staff has in the last 7 years. The quick way to fix this trainwreck organization is to make a quick trade for the pieces we need to win today. Until Katz, Lowe, MacT and Eakins lace up and play some hockey, you gotta stop blaming them for the effort put forth by our players. Our players consistently give pucks away, pass to the opposition, screen our goalies, play out of position, watch as their teammates get pummeled by guys 6 inches taller and 20+ pounds heavier. That wont change if Lowe is gone, or MacT or Eakins. it is a problem on the ice and dressing room between players. They do NOT know defensive hockey and anyone with a television and one eye can see that.

As the old saying goes, it might not be Kevin Lowe's fault, but it's definitely is his problem. I've never been on the "fire Lowe" wagon until this year. Enough is enough, and a total house cleaning is long over due.

I'm ok with MacT staying on as GM - grant him a sample size of more than a year. But if Lowe has to go, so too should Kelly Buchberger, Steve Smith, Dave Semenko, and any Boys on the Bus that have been around the last 8 straight seasons without playoffs.

It's ironic this organization loves the "old boys network", never bother to hire an Oiler from the glory years who is actually having success in the coaching ranks. How on earth is Bill Ranford the goalie coach of the Kings and not the Oilers???

While we're at it, get rid of Freddy Chabot too! He hasn't made Duby a better goalie.